Chinese President's movement causes traffic jams in Delhi

New Delhi: Traffic snarls were on Thursday reported from different parts of central and south Delhi after some roads were closed for the movement of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is in India on a three-day trip.

Motorists have to face bumper to bumper traffic on several roads which were jam packed in Dhaula Kuan, ITO, Daryaganj, Delhi Gate, around India Gate after traffic police shut down parts of India Gate and Ring Road for the visit of Xi Jinping to Rajghat and Hyderabad house after that.

Commuters, including the office-goers were worst affected as they reached late for their destination. Due to protests by Tibetans, a massive traffic jam was also reported from Dhaula Kuan, and motorists had a harrowing time.

Traffic Police on Wednesday issued an advisory asking commuters to avoid Sardar Patel Marg, Dhaula Kuan and Ashoka Road as they would be closed for intermittent periods throughout the day on Thursday.

Traffic snarls were also reported on roads leading to Hyderabad House, where scores of Tibetans staged a vociferous protest and also clashed with police.

Policemen and paramilitary personnel have been stationed at every intersections during the movement of Chinese President.

The situation was worst at the busy ITO intersection where motorists got stuck in traffic jams and it took them hours to cross the area.

"Normally, it takes me 30 minutes to reach my office in Connaught Place from my home, but today, it took me two hours to reach there. Traffic snarls were at several busy roads," said Rajesh Choudhary, a resident of Laxmi Nagar.

Security has also been beefed up in the national capital ahead of the visit of Chinese President with the police cordoning off certain areas in view of demonstrations by the Tibetan activists.

Around four companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF), with around 450 armed personnel, have been deployed outside the Chinese embassy at the Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave.

Two RAF companies along with Delhi Police personnel have been deployed at Hotel Taj Palace, where the Chinese President and his wife are staying, Police said.

"We have made elaborate security arrangements with Chinese President being in the city. Police are also keeping a close watch on the movement of Tibetan people," said a senior police officer.